Commission in Action

Celebrating The Life And Music Of Willy Chirino

Mayor Danzinger and Commissioner Meischeid joined HistoryMiami Museum as they celebrated the launch of “Willy Chirino: 50 Years of Music,” an exhibition paying tribute to a life and musical career that transcends generations and reflects Miami’s rich and complex history.

Willy Chirino, a beloved Cuban-born artist, came to the United States in 1961 as part of Operation Pedro Pan following the communist revolution in Cuba. He eventually composed and sang what would become an international anthem for Cubans inside and outside the island called “Nuestro día ya viene llegando” (“Our Day is Coming.”) Willy has recorded more than 35 albums attaining platinum and gold status, won the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY awards, composed hundreds of songs recorded by artists, including Celia Cruz, Gipsy Kings, and Oscar D’Leon, and was instrumental in the development of the 1970s Miami Sound, a unique fusion of Cuban music, blended with rock, jazz, Brazilian and Caribbean rhythms.

His personal story serves as a powerful reminder of resiliency following a difficult chapter in world history when more than 14,000 children and teens became part of Miami’s exile community through the Pedro Pan exodus. Thank you to HistoryMiami for inviting Surfside to be a part of this special historical event.

Roundtable Discussion To Combat Antisemitism

Mayor Shlomo Danzinger met with community leaders and fellow Elected Officials for a roundtable discussion to combat the rise of antisemitism in South Florida. Representatives from US Senator Rick Scott and Marco Rubios’s office were in attendance, as well as many Florida State Representatives, Miami-Dade County Commissioners, local mayors and commissioners.

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S MONTH: SURFSIDE’S PANDORA RIZZI AND MARZIA SAMPIETRO

March is Women’s History Month, an annual celebration that honors the achievements and contributions of women.

The Town of Surfside wants to highlight two women who have created a thriving business in downtown Surfside: WoW The Concept.

Pandora Rizzi and Marzia Sampietro partnered up to open WoW, a women-ran boutique with items produced by women for women. WoW sells unique womanmade products. From Italian imported beauty to leather handbags, dresses and jewelry to one-of-a-kind baby clothing, candles, keychains and stationary. The store opened its doors in early fall 2022, but its conception dates back to 2017 when they first met.

Both Pandora and Marzia have always been entrepreneurs. They met in Brickell City Centre where they each had a store. The friends quickly bonded over their Italian heritage (Marzia was born in Milan and Pandora is half Italian but born in New York) and their passion for creating a new concept store that would sell high-quality goods made by women.

“Being a woman in business can be challenging. Oftentimes I found myself alone doing everything on my own, but I found strength in sisterhood,” said Marzia. “Pandora is a strong woman and I admire her and how hardworking she is.”

Even the name WoW came serendipitously to both of them at the same time. As the project was finalizing in early 2022, their unified vision was to only cater goods that empower women.

“We were brainstorming ideas and suddenly we texted at the same time ‘wow: word of women’ it was fate,” said Marzia. The duo prides itself in doing extensive research on its target customer to anticipate needs and offer them the products that will enrich their lives. They offer unique pieces, such as a collection of handbags made by a local artisan designer from Naples that Marzia brought from her recent holiday travels back home.

Pandora and Marzia want to encourage other women to follow their passion and dreams. They advise others to not be afraid to ask for help and connect with like-minded individuals that can serve as mentors and guides. Recently, the store hosted a pop-up for another businesswoman who sells tichels a scarf type of covering for Jewish women.

“One of our goals is to make space for women who might not be at the point in their careers to open their own retail store, it’s about making it accessible for them to showcase their craft,” said Marzia. “We want to help other women thrive.”

Marzia and Pandora say they have found a sense of community and sisterhood at Surfside that neither of them felt at other of their business’ locations before. “I really like the sense of togetherness in Surfside. It’s a small place where all know each other,” said Marzia. “ There is so much kindness and gentleness in this Town.”

9507 Harding Ave

(305) 763-8894

Mon- Fri 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday noon - 6 p.m. @wowtheconcept